
Member Reviews

I live four blocks from Pinecraft, and I know Sherry Gore, one of the authors of this book. She was not born into the Amish lifestyle like most. She chose to become Amish. A major difference when you visit the setting in this book, compared to most Amish fiction, is the location. Pinecraft has a small community of full-time residents. Once a year, the buses come in with Amish from up north. They have houses, apartments, and motorhomes for them to rent. Instead of horse and buggies, most of the Amish travel by two or three-wheeled bikes, or they walk. When Lovina’s family moves to Pinecraft, she finds an area that uses modern conveniences. Most, but not all, use electricity. Some of them have their own phones. They are very welcoming to outsiders.
I love a good Amish novel. What I liked about this one was how normal everyday life was. I’ve read some Amish novels where the romance is so strong, and that is what they wanted to focus on. This one focuses on the business of opening a pie shop, with the romance coming in naturally.
Lovina wants nothing more than to open a pie shop, where she can make and sell pies. Her mother has heard rumors about the contractor’s previous behavior, and so she is not thrilled with her daughter’s relationship with him. You know how it is with mothers and their daughters. They scrutinize everything about their new boyfriend. One issue I can relate to is that someone made a comment about Lovina, and for years, she believed it. I work with teens and see the effect that one negative comment, especially from a relative, can have on that child’s life. Why do we believe things we are told that hurt us?
Some aspects of this book that resonated with me include learning to forgive yourself and letting the past go. It also focuses on reaching for and pursuing your dream, even when others are not fully behind you. There are pie recipes at the back of the book. Overall, it is a great read. On a side note, if you decide to visit the real Pinecraft, in Sarasota, Florida and you want pie you must visit Yoder's Restaurant for the best Amish Pies.

Not knowing a lot about the Pinecraft Amish community, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was getting myself in for with Made with Love. I’ve read a lot of Amish novels over the past few years, and after a while I do find that some of the standard romances feel a bit too similar. If you’re going to write a typical romance set in an Amish community (without chucking in an extreme element like murder or vampires), it still needs to have something fresh or new to make it stand out. Made with Love definitely had some original aspects to it, the setting being one of them.

Pinecraft, FL isn't your typical Amish community. They are a little less strict, a little more outgoing, and a lot more involved with the Englisch world. But, they still hold all the basic beliefs of the Amish - love, charity, simple living.
Lovina moved to Pinecraft with her family because the air would help her father's lung and breathing issues. But the area is so full of women, that Lovina's mother has almost given up hope that her daughters will find a respectful eligible bachelor - but that's OK with Lovina. She isn't all that interested in finding a husband - she wants to open a pie shop.
There are several people in the community touched by Lovina's dream. Lovina, her mother, the handsome Noah Yoder, a reporter. I would even say that the whole community learned a lesson on determination, following God's will, and not juding others by watching this strong young woman. I really loved how she stuck to her Amish beliefs and found a way to work them into the world around her. Never compromising on the important issues, but also willing to listen to what others had to say.
But, on to the romance. Noah isn't what most in the community would call an ideal candidate for a husband. Having caused some major trouble a few years back when he was younger, many in the community seem to shun him. Noah is trying so hard to find a place for himself and the teenagers (also having gotten into trouble) that he brought with him. He wants to teach them a skill and show them how wonderful the Amish community can be.
Made with Love was a really great story - and I loved that it was a lot different than most of the traditional Amish romances I've read. I've added the rest of the series to my TBR, and they sound amazing!
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

I enjoyed this book. It’s a good book for a day at the beach. Nice easy read and good story line. It gives you all the feels!

A dreamer and a former wild boy. The dreams in making - but whose dream and for what purpose?
This is lovely Amish romance about Lovina, a young woman with a dream of opening the pie shop. Lovina sees this not just as a business possibility, but as a community place, a community connected by a sweet treat and a deeper message. And now it seems her dreams sees a green light - a suitable building is to be sold and a knowledgeable worker offers his help with construction. But is the shop the true, God-based dream, or a fear in hiding?
Noah was a wild teen once (not dishonest, "just" irresponsible) - and the Amish people remember that about him. Now he is on the right path and because he knows how it feels to be overlooked and with a bad reputation, he tries to help another wild teens to become the responsible crowd. But the teens are not responding to his words and there is not work for the ones like them, the irresponsible ones. Until the Amish beauty with the dream enters the scene. But is Noah truly trying to help the teens and the girl, or is he only thinking about being the good one, the exemplary one?
This one is a sweet romance with some well-thought moments of truth and hope. Seemingly simple Amish story can surprise you with some sharp insights which are thrown here and there.
Also it is a warming read, like a cup of tea and a piece of good...pie.
It is also a slow read (my only critical comment here), but maybe this is exactly what you are here for.
So make yourself a nice cuppa and enjoy this sweet story!